catacomb

noun cat·a·comb \ ˈka-tə-ˌkōm \

Definition of catacomb

1 :a subterranean cemetery of galleries with recesses for tombs —usually used in plural

2 :something resembling a catacomb: such as

a :an underground passageway or group of passageways

b :a complex set of interrelated things

the endless catacombs of formal education
—Kingman Brewster †1988

See catacomb defined for English-language learners

See catacomb defined for kids

Examples of catacomb in a Sentence

explored the catacombs looking for evidence about burial customs of that ancient society

Recent Examples of catacomb from the Web

At that time of night, the subway was a catacomb and anyone walking around on the platform looked like a prisoner.

— Longreads, "A Portrait of the Artist as an Undocumented Immigrant," 21 June 2017
The internet is a virtual catacomb, where the skeletons of human decency line the damp, mildewed walls.

— christine flowers, Philly.com, "Disgraced ex-TV worker didn't deserve humiliation," 15 June 2017
The catacombs are popular tourist attraction, but most tunnels remain closed off to the public and unauthorized entry is prohibited under French law.

— zamira rahim, CNN, "Teens rescued after three days in Paris catacombs," 15 June 2017
Now, reports Daniela Petroff at the Associated Press, two chambers of the catacombs have been restored, revealing the underlying frescoes and graffiti for the first time in centuries.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "Restored Roman Catacombs Reveal Stunning Frescoes," 5 June 2017
Much like the myths of Christians hiding in the catacombs and being thrown to the lions in the Colisseum, there’s not much truth to the story.

— nicole winfield | ap, Washington Post, "Tone-deaf pope sings at Catholic Charismatic rally," 3 June 2017
Using lasers, restorers stripped away the deposits strata by strata — a technique never used before in the catacombs.

— elisabetta povoledo, New York Times, "Fresh Finds at Rome’s Ancient Catacombs," 30 May 2017
Thousands of bottles are stowed in the seemingly endless, labyrinthine catacomb-like wine cellar, which served as a bomb shelter during World War II.

— liza weisstuch, The Seattle Times, "Feasting in Verona, Italy’s city of Romeo and ravioli," 17 May 2017
Oh, and those catacombs, which in a nod to historical accuracy were going to be underground?

— lori weisberg, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Televangelist's planned resort gets a major redesign but wailing wall still there," 8 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'catacomb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

About forty Christian catacombs have been found near the roads that once led into Rome. After the decline of the Roman empire these cemeteries were forgotten, not to be rediscovered until 1578. Catacomb has come to refer to different kinds of underground chambers and passageways. The catacombs of Paris are abandoned stone quarries that were not used for burials until 1787. The catacombs built by a monastery in Palermo, Sicily, for its deceased members later began accepting bodies from outside the monastery; today you may wander through looking at hundreds of mummified corpses propped against the catacomb walls, dressed in tattered clothes that were once fashionable.

Origin and Etymology of catacomb

Middle English catacumb, Medieval French catacombe, probably from Old Italian catacomba, from Late Latin catacumbae, plural

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

catacomb Synonyms

Synonyms

catacomb (s), vault

Related Words

mausoleum, sepulchre (or sepulcher), sepulture, tomb

CATACOMB Defined for English Language Learners

catacomb

noun

Definition of catacomb for English Language Learners

: an underground place where people are buried

Learn More about catacomb

See words that rhyme with catacomb Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for catacomb Nglish: Translation of catacomb for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about catacomb

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up catacomb? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

catacomb

Definition of catacomb

Examples of catacomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples of catacomb from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of catacomb

catacomb Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

CATACOMB Defined for English Language Learners

catacomb

Definition of catacomb for English Language Learners

Learn More about catacomb

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

True or False?

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

catacomb

Definition of catacomb

Read the Latest from M-W

Examples of catacomb in a Sentence

Recent Examples of catacomb from the Web

Did You Know?

Origin and Etymology of catacomb

catacomb Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

CATACOMB Defined for English Language Learners

catacomb

Definition of catacomb for English Language Learners

Learn More about catacomb

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066